Do we go on with no hope in this life, wondering if there’s anything else after we die?

People have described this empty place in our hearts as a “God-shaped vacuum” that can’t be filled with work or through buying more clothes and other things. It is something that can’t even be filled with our personal relationships. What we really need can only be found in a relationship with God.

Our Sin Problem

We read in the Bible that we are sinful people—not just because of the bad things we do but because of who we are. We aren’t sinners just because we sin. We sin because we’re sinners, and that’s what separates us from God.

The Good News!

What if there was a way to bridge the gap that separates us from God? Wouldn’t you be interested in the assurance of being able to have everlasting life with God?

Well, there is a way—the only way—and that is through faith and belief in Jesus Christ as the one who died for our sins.

That’s what He did, you know. He died on that cross at Calvary so that you and I could live with Him forever. That’s the Good News!

It’s difficult to believe how much God loves us! After all, we’re nothing but sinners. In First John 4:9-10, we see the evidence of His great love for us:

God showed how much he loved us
by sending his one and only Son into the world
so that we might have eternal life through him.
This is real love—not that we loved God,
but that he loved us and sent his Son
as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

You might be asking yourself how that is possible. Well, here are a few verses from the Bible that give us the answer:

God loved the world so muchthat he gave his one and only Sonso thatwhoever believes in himmay not be lost, but have eternal life.God did not send his Son into the worldto judge the world guilty,but to save the world through him.—John 3:16-17

Those who believe in the Son have eternal life,butthose who do not obey the Sonwill never have life.God’s anger stays upon them.—John 3:36

Those who see the Sonand believe in him have eternal life,and I will raise them on the last day.This is what my Father wants.—John 6:40

. . . I am the resurrection and the life.Those who believe in mewill have life even if they die.And everyone who lives and believesin me will never die.—John 11:25-26

Why would Jesus die for our sins? Because He loves us and desires our company forever! Imagine that! We also read in the Bible that “The reason Christ died and rose from the dead to live again was so he would be Lord over both the dead and the living.”—Romans 14:9

A Living Hope

There is hope for all of us through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. We can do nothing in our own strength to guarantee us everlasting life. It is only through the sacrifice which Jesus Christ made on our behalf that we have the privilege of living with Him forever:

I mean that you have been savedby grace through believing.You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God.It was not the result of your own efforts,so you cannot brag about it.—Ephesians 2:8-9

The amazing thing about this gift of eternal life is that it is a gift! Jesus Christ, God’s Son, paid the price for our sins, once for all time:

But God shows his great love for us in this way:Christ died for us while we were still sinners.—Romans 5:8

How We Can Receive the Gift of Everlasting Life

We have done nothing to deserve the gift of everlasting life, yet it is freely given to us and very easy to obtain. All we need to do is:

admit that we are sinners, repent of our sins, and then ask God to forgive us;

believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He die for our sins and then was resurrected from the dead: “The reason Christ died and rose from the dead to live again was so he would be Lord over both the dead and the living.” —Romans 14:9;

ask Jesus Christ to come into our hearts as our Savior and help us as the Lord of our lives.

You can do this right now in the quiet of your room. It’s between you and the Lord Jesus Christ. Here’s an example of how you can pray to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior:

Heavenly Father, I’m so sorry for my sins. Right now, I’m turning from my sins and asking You to forgive me. Thank you for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who died for my sins on the cross. Jesus, I ask You to come into my heart and my life, and be my Savior, Lord, and Friend. Thank You for forgiving me and giving me the gift of everlasting life. Amen.

That’s it! That’s all you have to do. Now there will be Someone you can turn to with all of your problems, cares and concerns—and that is Jesus Christ. Just knowing that He is in your corner is the greatest comfort of all.

. . . but now we are also very happy in Godthrough our Lord Jesus Christ.Through him we are now God’s friends again.—Romans 5:11

Beloved, welcome to the family of God! If you have any questions about any of this, please write to me at faithlhj777 at gmail dot com.

Note: All emphasis in these Bible passages is added by me.

The advertising which may appear below is not placed by the author and is not to be considered as a part of this post or an expression of my views.

Perfect, Anna. And I’m so glad you pointed out our SIN problem. I’m seeing Christianity watered down so much these days. There’s more emphasis on how a relationship with Christ benefits us, and hardly any focus on the fact that we’re sinners separated from God and in desperate need of a Savior!

Susan, you are so right about how too many Christians are being served up a watered down Gospel where sin is hardly ever mentioned. Our sin separates us from God until we understand how repentance combined with trusting completely in His mercy and grace closes that gap. Soooo thankful for that Truth!

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Who am I?

I'm a lover and follower of Jesus Christ and live in northern Arizona with my husband, Rick. I am happy to say that Rick and I are at the bottom corners of a triangle where Jesus sits at the top corner.

Contributing Writer: Pat Knight

Pat Knight is the author of REJOICE! and PURE JOY, two books filled with joyful devotionals. She maintains a ministry of handwritten encouraging notes for those who are hurting, and is also an avid gardener.